btcapps.me

A personal guide · no endorsements

Find the kind of Bitcoin app that fits how you'll use it.

Wallets, Lightning, nodes, payment tools — the right choice depends on what you want to do and how much is at stake. Answer four questions and get a starting point, with what to look for and what to watch out for.

  • No product rankings or affiliate links
  • Nothing you choose leaves this page
  • Not financial advice

Four questions

Question 1 of 4

What do you want to do first?
How much would this app look after?
Where will you mostly use it?
How hands-on do you want to be?

The library

Seven kinds of Bitcoin app

Every recommendation above comes from this list. Each type solves a different problem; many people end up using two or three together.

Self-custody mobile wallet

An app on your phone that creates and holds your private keys. You control the funds; the app's developer cannot freeze or move them.

Look for

  • Open-source code that others can review
  • A standard recovery phrase backup (BIP39 is the most common format)
  • Clear, adjustable fee settings
  • Current address types such as native SegWit (bc1q…) or Taproot (bc1p…)

Watch out for

  • Anyone with your recovery phrase can take your funds — keep it on paper, never in photos or cloud notes
  • A phone is an online, general-purpose device: good for pocket money, not ideal for life savings

Desktop wallet

Wallet software on your computer. The bigger screen makes it easier to review transactions, label payments, and choose exactly which coins to spend.

Look for

  • Can connect to your own node, or lets you choose the server
  • PSBT support, so it can work with hardware wallets
  • Coin control and labels

Watch out for

  • Malware on everyday computers — keep large amounts on a hardware device
  • Fake download sites — verify the release signature when the developer provides one

Hardware wallet + companion app

A small dedicated device keeps your keys offline and signs transactions. A phone or desktop app prepares the transactions and shows your balance.

Look for

  • A screen on the device, so you can confirm the address and amount there
  • Bought directly from the maker or an authorised reseller
  • Open-source firmware or a well-documented security model
  • Works with more than one wallet app

Watch out for

  • Never type the device's recovery phrase into a computer or phone
  • Test a recovery with a small amount before you rely on it

Multisignature wallet

Moving funds needs several keys — for example any 2 of 3 — kept on separate devices in separate places. One lost or stolen key is not a disaster.

Look for

  • Software that exports the full wallet configuration (an output descriptor)
  • Hardware devices from more than one manufacturer
  • A written recovery plan that someone you trust could follow

Watch out for

  • More parts to back up: every recovery phrase and the wallet configuration
  • Practise a complete recovery before moving serious savings

Lightning wallet

Lightning moves bitcoin through payment channels, so small payments usually settle in seconds with low fees.

Look for

  • A clear statement of who holds the keys: you (self-custodial) or a provider (custodial)
  • How it handles channel opening and inbound capacity
  • Backups of channel state, for self-custodial wallets

Watch out for

  • Custodial wallets are convenient, but the provider controls the funds
  • Keep spending money on Lightning and savings on-chain

Full node software

A node downloads and checks every block and transaction against Bitcoin's rules. Your wallet can then trust your own copy of the chain instead of someone else's server.

Look for

  • Enough storage: the full chain is hundreds of gigabytes, while pruned mode keeps much less
  • A computer that can stay on, or a dedicated small device
  • A way to connect your wallet to it

Watch out for

  • The first sync can take a long time on slower hardware
  • Update only from the project's official sources

Payment processor

Software that creates a fresh invoice for each order, watches for payment, and marks it paid. Self-hosted processors pay into your own wallet; hosted services run the infrastructure for you.

Look for

  • A unique address or invoice for every payment
  • On-chain and Lightning support
  • Accounting exports and a plugin for your shop platform

Watch out for

  • Hosted services may hold funds or require identity checks — read the terms
  • Bitcoin payments can't be charged back, so write a refund policy

Before any app

Five habits that matter more than the app you choose

  1. Your recovery phrase is the wallet

    Write it on paper or metal and store it offline. Whoever has those words has the bitcoin.

  2. Start small

    Receive a small test amount, send it back, and practise a restore before moving anything that matters.

  3. Download from the source

    Use the developer's official site or official app-store listing, check the developer name, and verify signatures when they're offered.

  4. Nobody legitimate asks for your phrase

    Support staff, wallet makers, and exchanges never need it. Anyone asking for it is trying to take your funds.

  5. Plan for someone else

    Leave written instructions for how a trusted person could recover your funds, stored separately from the phrase itself.